Volunteers and their horses get together for playday

Some BLM Wild Horse and Burro Program volunteers in California’s north central valley got together for a playday at the Running I Ranch in Dunnigan, on July 1. The Running I Ranch offers trail obstacles and opportunities for desensitizing horses to various situations. For the volunteers, it was a day of fun, training, and camaraderie with their horses and other adopters. For the horses, it was a day of socialization and learning.

Many BLM wild horse and burro volunteers are themselves adopters. They help the Wild Horse and Burro Program in many ways. For example, they promote the value of the mustangs and burros, they educate the public about the animals, they bring their animals as ambassadors to adoption events, and they assist with checking on the adopted animals in their communities. They also foster and halter train some of the horses and burros and act as mentors for new adopters. Their services help ensure successful adoptions. For all their hard work, they also deserve to have some fun with their animals!

Our next adoptions are coming right up on July 14 at the Sacramento Horseman’s Association and at the Sundance Ranch in Redlands. Animals can be adopted any weekday from the Litchfield and Ridgecrest Corrals. Please call either facility for an appointment. For more information about the adoptions and the program, please visit the California Wild Horse and Burro page at www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/prog/wild_horse_and_burro.html

Midori Morgan and Penny from the High Rock HMA work their way across the teeter bridge. (photo: Mark Evans)

Though trail riders would never expect to see a bear on a zipline, this obstacle challenges the horses to expect the unexpected. Sue Wirgler shows her horse that a bear hide is nothing to fear, even if it is hanging on a zipline. (photo: Mark Evans)